초록 ▼

The invention provides an improved imaging system and method. The imaging system is of the type having a medical instrument including a source for emitting detectable energy and an instrument body having a work portion. The imaging system further includes detector for detecting the energy and a proc

The invention provides an improved imaging system and method. The imaging system is of the type having a medical instrument including a source for emitting detectable energy and an instrument body having a work portion. The imaging system further includes detector for detecting the energy and a processor for determining the location of the medical instrument based on the detected energy. Such an imaging system is improved by providing a storage device on or in the medical instrument for storing initialization information, such as the location of the energy-emitting means relative to the instrument body. A transfer device is provided for transferring the initialization information from the storage device to the processor upon connection of the medical instrument to the processor. In this manner, the processor may then configure itself according to the attached instrument so that the system may track the location of the instrument body in three-dimensional space upon detection of the emitted energy.

대표청구항 ▼

An improved imaging system of the type having a medical instrument including means for emitting detectable energy and an instrument body having a work portion, the imaging system further including means for detecting the energy and a processor for determining the location of the medical instrument b

An improved imaging system of the type having a medical instrument including means for emitting detectable energy and an instrument body having a work portion, the imaging system further including means for detecting the energy and a processor for determining the location of the medical instrument based on the detected energy, wherein the improvement comprises: means on or in the medical instrument for storing information relating to the location of the energy-emitting means relative to the instrument body; means for transferring the location information from the storing means to the processor upon connection of the medical instrument to the processor, wherein the processor may determine the location of the instrument body in three-dimensional space upon receipt of the location information and upon detection of the emitted energy, wherein the medical instrument further includes an attachment having the storing means and means for emitting detectable energy; and means for indicating the type of instrument body that is connected to the attachment, the indicating means being formed upon connection of the attachment to the instrument body, and wherein the processor includes means for correlating the location of the work portion relative to the energy-emitting elements based on the type of instrument body that is connected to the attachment.